"The continued targeting of human rights defenders in Bahrain through arbitrary summonses and prolonged detentions is a clear attempt to silence dissent" - Bahrain Center for Human Rights
This statement was originally published on bahrainrights.net on 2 March 2025.
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses grave concern over the detention of human rights activist and former political prisoner Ali Al-Hajee, who was summoned for interrogation on Thursday, February 28, 2025, by the General Directorate of Crime Detection and Forensic Science (CID). This escalation reflects a worrying pattern of targeting human rights defenders in Bahrain.
Details of the summons and detention
On the morning of Thursday, February 28, 2025, Ali Al-Hajee received an official summons from the Ministry of Interior, instructing him to report immediately to the General Directorate of Crime Detection and Forensic Science (CID). Shortly after, he received a phone call from an officer at the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID), who ordered him to arrive at the main gate alone.
At 11:58 AM, Ali arrived at the CID headquarters in Adliya. He later called his family at 12:35 PM, informing them that he was still waiting and had not been given a reason for the summons. Over six hours later, at 6:49 PM, Ali made a second brief call lasting only 31 seconds, during which he simply stated that he was fine. His family reported that the call appeared to be monitored, as Ali refrained from providing any further details.
More than 24 hours after his detention, on Friday, 1 March, 2025, Ali was transferred to Jau Prison without any explanation or formal charges against him.
Serious concerns for his safety
The prolonged detention of Ali Al-Hajee at CID headquarters, followed by his transfer to Jau Prison, raises serious concerns about his treatment and overall well-being. Bahraini and international human rights organizations have documented systematic torture and ill-treatment in these facilities, putting Ali at severe risk of abuse.
BCHR’s position and demands
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of Ali Al-Hajee and views it as a blatant violation of human rights and freedom of expression. This latest incident is part of Bahrain’s ongoing crackdown on activists and political dissidents.
Commenting on the case, Nedal Al-Salman, President of BCHR, stated:
“The continued targeting of human rights defenders in Bahrain through arbitrary summonses and prolonged detentions is a clear attempt to silence dissent. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Ali Al-Hajee and the assurance that he is not subjected to any form of ill-treatment.”
Urgent demands
On the first day of Ramadan, a month of justice and compassion, BCHR calls for the immediate release of Ali Al-Hajee and urges the international community and human rights organizations to:
- Put pressure on Bahraini authorities to release Ali Al-Hajee without delay.
- Hold Bahrain accountable for its international commitments to protect human rights defenders.
- Monitor the conditions of detention in Bahrain to prevent further human rights abuses against activists and political prisoners.
BCHR remains committed to closely following Ali Al-Hajee’s case and working with human rights bodies to ensure his fundamental rights are upheld. His unjust detention is part of a broader campaign of repression against free voices in Bahrain, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention to protect human rights defenders and secure their release.
